Rich_D Posted August 21, 2011 Report Share Posted August 21, 2011 If you're getting the manifold off though i'd thoroughly recommend getting the blanking plates and being done with it. That way you know 100% there's no chance of anything coming loose.. Agreed Why you would go to the time & effort of stripping the inlet down, to then clean & refit the original flaps, which are likely to fail is beyond me!? I did mine last weekend with PMW blanks, it's the only way to be certain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davey Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Hey, does anyone know the torx size needed to get the swirl flaps out? cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dukey Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Hi folks, just ordered some swirl flaps blanking plates. Can anyone confirm if it is possible to put like a peace of rag or something down the hole to stop anything from falling into the engine once the manifold has been removed? Just a bit paranoid that im going to drop something down into my engine and cause a world of trouble? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich_D Posted November 3, 2011 Report Share Posted November 3, 2011 Hi folks, just ordered some swirl flaps blanking plates. Can anyone confirm if it is possible to put like a peace of rag or something down the hole to stop anything from falling into the engine once the manifold has been removed? Just a bit paranoid that im going to drop something down into my engine and cause a world of trouble? yes, I put cloth down all the holes to stop anything dropping in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deano1986 Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 looks like I may need to invest and get this done, I had no idea about this problem!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deano1986 Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 Right - its all off and in bits, cleaned the EGR valve, swirl flaps off, not as much s**te in there as I thought there would be, Unfortunately its taken longer than I was hoping and has now gone dark, so I will rebuild it all tomorrow. could I leave the inlet manifold soaking in anything over night to remove all the crap inside it? BTW - I was a nervous f**king wreck doing this, many thanks to Staddly for the guide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deano1986 Posted February 18, 2012 Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 also - the big round thing that is connected to the rod that pushes the swirl flaps - can this come off completely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickse Posted August 27, 2012 Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 also - the big round thing that is connected to the rod that pushes the swirl flaps - can this come off completely? Six months back so presumably you made a decision by now. I did my 330D this weekend with PMW blanks and left the big round thing in place (I did remove the rod tho) as I thought the computer would want to know the flap position (assuming that's what the electrical connection is for?) One thing to watch were the two piece metal inserts in the lower (flap) port securing stud holes. (Can be seen either side of the flap in fig 6. above) Mine was such a tight fit to get over the studs that I dislodged the bottom part and they fell out while I was manoeuvring the manifold free. Sheer luck they didn't fall in the ports and more luck fishing one out from under the engine with a magnet. I I have to have the manifold off again I'd pack a cloth in there to stop parts falling into the abyss. Very good guide tho, thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazzer321 Posted September 2, 2012 Report Share Posted September 2, 2012 big thanks for this DIY followed this guide tonight to clean my EGR and remove swirl flaps took me about 3 hours start to finish, happy days. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schnitzer Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Hello Reading this during my lunch break and came over all cold. OMG I never knew about this issue. My 330d has done 115,000 miles and know for a fact the swirl flaps are still fitted. Going to order the covers and get this done ASAP. One thing though I take it the slight increase in emmissions will not effect the MOT at all? Cheers Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtydieseldog Posted December 23, 2012 Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 Did you fit the vortex type breather filter or did some models come like that? If so what years have the vortex type? Good write up, i look forward to reading more throughout my BMW ownership Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxiB Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 (edited) Hi guys, Sorry if this is posted in the wrong section and if it is please feel free to move it to the right place. Was wondering if anyone could tell me if there is a surefire way of telling if your engine has swirl flaps in the first place? Took my car to Darren Woods in Stockport before Xmas and the tech said my car doesn't have swirl flaps at all. It's an '03 plate 330d sport 184 manual (manufactured July or August '02, can't remember which) but after reading Schnitzers post (#35) it seems we have very similar vehicles. Is there anyway of visually seeing if you have them without removing bits? Great how-to btw staddley - sure everyone is appreciative of the time and effort. Cheers Edited January 13, 2013 by MaxiB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich_D Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 the early 2.9 litre (184bhp) manual 330d's do not have swirl flaps, the rest do even the 2.9 auto MaxiB 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben- Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 Where is the best place to order the vortex breather? E46 320D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feva Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 Where is the best place to order the vortex breather? E46 320D Got mine from the local dealers was £40. Not bad for genuine part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpina99 Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 Right, Going to order the vortex breather in any case as I understand it will fit regardless, Definitely want to do the swirl flaps as well, I've got a 2004 320D, will it have 22mm or the 33mm flaps ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich_D Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 Where is the best place to order the vortex breather? E46 320D Your local BMW dealer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich_D Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 Right, Going to order the vortex breather in any case as I understand it will fit regardless, Definitely want to do the swirl flaps as well, I've got a 2004 320D, will it have 22mm or the 33mm flaps ?? You can't tell for certain at that age, could be either, order from somewhere like PMW, get both sizes and return the ones you don't need, this is how most people do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpina99 Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 Ok, thanks, I'll do that, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxiB Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 the early 2.9 litre (184bhp) manual 330d's do not have swirl flaps, the rest do even the 2.9 auto Cheers for that Richy D - in which case tech was probably right More than likely Schnitzer's is an auto then. Nice 1 bruv Rich_D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charliefletcher Posted January 20, 2013 Report Share Posted January 20, 2013 great guide thank you so much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashi Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 BIg thankyou from me! Decided id blank my swirl flaps and use this guide to remove them has it was very clear. Glad i did with what i found! was a clump of carbon... felt like a bloody rock! was wedging one of my flaps from shutting, thought it had a funny idle problem.. momo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpina99 Posted February 17, 2013 Report Share Posted February 17, 2013 I decided that today I'd do some work on my 320d, (Typical, I realised after I'd started that I'd forgotten to order the K&N airfilter,) I had intended to swap the swirl flaps for blanking plates, replace the crankcase breather, thoroughly clean the EGR valve and replace both thermostats, It took so long to remove all the assorted covers that I didn't get around to the 2 thermostats, that will have to be another day now, I think I may also have a slight airleak now as the car does not seem to want to rev past 4000 rpm when parked but seems to be ok when driven, I'll have to keep an eye on that and check it out, Ho hum !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teej Posted March 4, 2013 Report Share Posted March 4, 2013 i would like to give a huge ginormous massive gigantic SHOUT OUT to staddly for this amaising how to! suffice to say im not novice but not exactly a mechanic, and i attempted it today on my 2004 320cd m sport, really fiddly, dropped a bolt (not in the engine just fell through) luckily i had another!!! i didn't have time to clean the egr but will shortly (using a friends garage). the covers i bought were from PMW in chelmsford and can recommend this place to anyone wanting ANY advice on this matter as they coached me through it when i purchased them! now i have piece of mind and can drive with a bit more gusto now that i know the flaps aren't going to interfere!!!! many thanks Teej Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bolf Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 I would also like to add to this , My missus car is a 2004 320d , decided to check out the flaps this last weekend and clean out the manifold. SO glad I did , they were the metal type flaps and 2 out of the 4 flaps had actually broken , luckily they were wedged in the manifold at the port end and hadn't dropped into the cylinders , upon removal a 3rd spindle broke so easily. I snapped of all the spindles and fitted some decent coach bolts in the holes, refitted the bits and its all good now , I also deleted the EGR and decatted at the same time , lovely! Rich_D 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
